Hyaluronan and hyaluronan binding proteins are normal components of mouse pancreatic islets and are differentially expressed by islet endocrine cell types

J Histochem Cytochem. 2012 Oct;60(10):749-60. doi: 10.1369/0022155412457048. Epub 2012 Jul 21.

Abstract

The pancreatic islet comprises endocrine, vascular, and neuronal cells. Signaling among these cell types is critical for islet function. The extracellular matrix (ECM) is a key regulator of cell-cell signals, and while some islet ECM components have been identified, much remains unknown regarding its composition. We investigated whether hyaluronan, a common ECM component that may mediate inflammatory events, and molecules that bind hyaluronan such as versican, tumor necrosis factor-stimulated gene 6 (TSG-6), and components of inter-α-trypsin inhibitor (IαI), heavy chains 1 and 2 (ITIH1/ITIH2), and bikunin, are normally produced in the pancreatic islet. Mouse pancreata and isolated islets were obtained for microscopy (with both paraformaldehyde and Carnoy's fixation) and mRNA. Hyaluronan was present predominantly in the peri-islet ECM, and hyaluronan synthase isoforms 1 and 3 were also expressed in islets. Versican was produced in α cells; TSG-6 in α and β cells; bikunin in α, β, and δ cells; and ITIH1/ITIH2 predominantly in β cells. Our findings demonstrate that hyaluronan, versican, TSG-6, and IαI are normal islet components and that different islet endocrine cell types contribute these ECM components. Thus, dysfunction of either α or β cells likely alters islet ECM composition and could thereby further disrupt islet function.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Alpha-Globulins / metabolism
  • Animals
  • Cell Adhesion Molecules / metabolism
  • Female
  • Fluorescent Antibody Technique
  • Glucagon-Secreting Cells / metabolism
  • Hyaluronan Receptors / metabolism*
  • Hyaluronic Acid / metabolism*
  • Insulin-Secreting Cells / metabolism
  • Islets of Langerhans / cytology
  • Islets of Langerhans / metabolism*
  • Male
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • Mice, Inbred DBA
  • Somatostatin-Secreting Cells / metabolism
  • Versicans / metabolism

Substances

  • Alpha-Globulins
  • Cell Adhesion Molecules
  • Hyaluronan Receptors
  • Tnfaip6 protein, mouse
  • alpha-1-microglobulin
  • Versicans
  • inter-alpha-inhibitor
  • Hyaluronic Acid